Running head: PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING

Philosophy of Nursing: Compassion, Honesty, and Respect

Cynthia T. Lee

University of Arizona

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PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING

Philosophy of Nursing: Compassion, Honesty, and Respect

Nursing is a profession that can make a significant impact in the lives of many. Being so,

there are certain qualities that I feel are necessary to be an amazing nurse: compassion, honesty,

and respect. During these present times, it is so easy to be task-oriented and constantly on the go.

As nurses, we will have multiple patients at a time, so there is potential to treat the diagnosis and

not the individual. I truly feel that these three qualities ensure that nurses will provide patients

with best care possible.

Compassion, in my opinion, is a must-have quality when it comes to nursing. A nurse

without compassion treats only the diagnosis, and a person’s health is made up of more than one

component: physical, social and mental wellbeing (Centers for Disease Control And Prevention,

2014). Being able to empathize with patients, builds rapport, and creates an environment that is

inclusive of the physical, social, and mental aspects of health. During my clinical rotations, I

have heard patients complain about how the healthcare system cares more about their money

than their wellbeing, which is something a patient should never feel.

Honesty is something I value personally; if I were a patient, I would want to know

exactly what was happening to me, and what the plans are for my treatment. Being honest, builds

trust and credibility with the patient. Patients are more cooperative with health professionals they

deem trustworthy. I observed a nursing student tell a patient that she needed to get a finger stick

for a glucose reading. He was already hesitant, but she told him she only needed to poke him

once. Unfortunately, she did not get enough blood and had to poke him a second time. When she

went back into the room to administer his insulin, he refused; the nursing student lost the

patient’s trust.

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Respect is another quality that builds rapport with the patient. Patients want to be treated

with dignity and involved with their treatment. I have seen a patient “fire” his nurse because he

felt that she talked down to him. He felt like he was being treated like a child and did not receive

full disclosure of his care. Being respectful to patients encompasses getting to know them, their

culture, and beliefs; it helps to distinguish a treatment plan that the patient will be cooperative

with.

I truly believe that these qualities are crucial in nursing because each person should be

treated as an individual and not a diagnosis. Health includes a person’s social and mental

wellbeing as well as their physical wellbeing, so developing relationships with patients is critical

in delivering the best quality of care. With compassion, honesty, and respect, nurses will be able

to create an environment that optimizes the health of their patients.

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References

Centers for Disease Control And Prevention. (2014). Social Determinants of Health. Centers

for Disease Control And Prevention. Retrieved from:

http://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/Definitions.html

I have reviewed the Code of Academic Integrity and can attest that this document is consistent with the provisions of the code and represents my own original work. Signed: Cynthia Lee

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